Computing

Our intent at Gulval School in Computing is

We want children to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world for a better future.

We want computing to be an essential part of our curriculum; a subject that not only stands alone but becomes an integral and exciting part of all learning.

We want children to develop positive relationships as adaptable and flexible members of a team, enabling them to be competent, confident and enthusiastic about our digital world.

We want children to work collaboratively, use technology to analyse problems and create computer programming; skills that enable them to become active participants in our ever-changing digital world.

We want to equip children with the transferable skills, strategies and knowledge that will allow them to reap the benefits of the online world, whilst being able to minimise the risks to themselves and others as a responsible digital citizen.

Intent, Implementation, Impact  Scope EYFS Sequence KS1 Sequence  KS2 Sequence Digital Citizenship Scope

Common sense education

At our school, we believe that helping children become responsible, confident and respectful digital citizens is just as important as teaching them to read, write and calculate. Technology offers incredible opportunities to communicate, create, learn and collaborate, but it also brings responsibilities. We are committed to equipping our pupils with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to navigate the online world safely, responsibly and with integrity.
To support this learning, we use the Common Sense Education Digital Citizenship Curriculum. Through engaging lessons, discussions and real-life scenarios, children develop the understanding they need to make positive choices online. They explore topics such as online relationships, media balance, privacy and security, cyberbullying, digital footprints, news and media literacy, and responsible online behaviour.
Our learning is brought to life through five memorable characters, each representing a key aspect of digital citizenship:

Arms

Balance Your Media Use: Arms reminds us to think about how we use technology and to find a healthy balance between time spent online and the many other important activities in our lives, such as playing, exercising, learning and spending time with family and friends.

Guts

Trust Your Instincts: Guts teaches children to listen to their instincts and recognise when something online doesn’t feel right. By understanding potential risks, protecting personal information and knowing when to ask for help, children develop the confidence to keep themselves safe online.

Feet

Leave a Positive Digital Footprint: Feet reminds us to think carefully about the tracks we leave behind online. Children learn the importance of choosing age-appropriate games, videos and apps, making positive choices that reflect kindness and respect, and asking for consent before sharing information, images or content about others. By understanding that online actions can have a lasting impact, children can build a safe and positive digital footprint.

Heart

Be Kind and Respectful: Heart encourages us to use kindness, empathy and respect whenever we interact online. Whether sending a message, leaving a comment or playing a game, our words and actions can have a powerful impact on others.

Legs

Be an Upstander: Legs reminds us to stand up for others when we see unkind or inappropriate behaviour online. Children learn the importance of supporting others, reporting concerns to a trusted adult and helping to create positive digital communities.

Head

Think Critically: Head encourages children to stop and think about the information they encounter online. They learn to question whether something is true, recognise misinformation and fake news, identify trustworthy sources and make informed decisions before believing or sharing content.

Together, these characters help children understand that being a positive digital citizen is about much more than staying safe online. It is about showing kindness, making thoughtful decisions, standing up for others, balancing technology with everyday life and using critical thinking to navigate the digital world confidently.

Teaching digital citizenship has never been more important. Today’s children are growing up in an increasingly connected world where technology plays a significant role in their everyday lives. They need to understand the importance of consent when sharing photographs, videos or personal information, recognise and manage risk when communicating or exploring online, and develop the confidence to make safe, respectful and responsible choices. By embedding these skills throughout our curriculum, we prepare our pupils not only to succeed in the digital world but also to become compassionate, informed and responsible citizens for the future.

Quiz Masters in the Making!

Our Year 5 pupils have amazed us with their computing skills as they designed and coded their own interactive quizzes. Using their understanding of algorithms, the children programmed sprites to ask questions, respond to answers, keep scores,…

Code Creators in Amethyst Class!

Amethyst class have been busy becoming brilliant young coders! Using simple programming tools, they explored how to give instructions to create shapes and even draw letters on screen. The children showed fantastic problem-solving skills, working…

Making music with technology! 

Topaz class have been exploring the world of music through IT. We have been listening to different composers and using it as a tool to create our own music through the ‘chrome music lab ‘ programme. We have enjoyed this cross curricular…

Dinosaur data 

We have been busy using databases to sort and classify different questions. The best part was using our skills to classify dinosaurs by asking yes‑or‑no questions like real researchers.

Digital data! 

Topaz have been learning all about digital data representation through pictograms and tally charts. Using the laptops, they have enjoyed creating their own pictograms and collating class data. They have been super analysts and are able to understand…

Pattern Patrol 

Ruby Class enjoyed an exciting “Pattern Patrol” activity, exploring the colours, shapes and repeating patterns found on emergency vehicles and uniforms. The children loved spotting stripes, squares and symbols before creating their own patterned…

Coding Crumbles!

In computing this week, Diamond Class had a brilliant time exploring crumble coding — and not the apple kind! The children learned how to program their crumbles to switch sparkles on and off, experimenting with colours and timing to bring…

🎙️ Podcast Pros in the Making! 🎧

Amethyst Class have been busy becoming podcast creators in computing this week! The children planned their ideas, practised speaking clearly and confidently, and worked together to record their own podcasts. They learned how to use technology…

Super Computing!

Year 1 have been using paint to show their digital painting skills this half term. The children have used different tools to create different paintings. They have used the pencil, the paint fill tool, the paint brush and the rubber tool. Inspired…

What are the different ways we can use IT?

Topaz have been learning about IT and its many uses. In our lessons we explored using IT to connect through taking photographs, being creative by playing games, using music videos for dancing and also music for mindfulness. Fantastic job To…

Sapphire Class Connects Through Computing!

This term, Sapphire Class has been exploring how computers communicate and collaborate with one another. We've learnt about data packets, internet protocols and how digital systems share information across networks. To bring these concepts to…

Make it, play it, love it! 

This term, Year 4 have been getting creative with coding as they designed and programmed their own games using Scratch! Pupils learned how to use block coding to control characters (called sprites), create backgrounds, and add sounds and scoring…
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🌟 Year 6’s Amazing Navigational Device Designs! 🌟

Year 6 have been busy combining their Computing and DT skills to design their very own navigational survival devices – and what a fantastic job they’ve done! After researching real-life survival tools, pupils planned and created 3D models…

Programming practice!

Emerald class have been practicing their programming skills this half term using scratch! Fantastic work everyone😊

Rabbit run

Ruby class have been so busy in computing this week. We have been making tracks for the rabbits to get to their carrots. We have been using words like "up, down, left and right". All the rabbits got their carrots.🥕

Crumble Kit Creativity 

Diamond Class have been exploring selection in physical Computing. We have controlled a simple circuit connected to a computer and written programms that include count-controlled loops. Next, we will design a physical project that includes selection-…

Don’t crash!

We've been making our own Beebot mats. We worked as a team to design a theme, created obstacles and gave each other challenges. We had to think carefully and de-bug our programming so we didn't crash into any obstacles.

We’re 3D designers-masters of TinkerCAD

This term, we've been learning all about how to be 3D designers! We have used an online CAD software, TinkerCad, to create a range of 3D objects. We started with simple shapes, learned how to hollow them out, group them and re-size them to fit…

And we are live on air!

Year 4 have been diving into the online world of podcasts! We have listened and reviewed some of the thousands we discovered are available online, we particularly enjoyed ‘But Why?’  Whilst searching we found that there are so many great…

Technology all around us

Citrine have been discovering the technology around us and the different aspects. The children have also been putting their iPad skills to the test and drawing pictures to show their understanding of internet safety.
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National Award For Online Safety

We have been recognised for a national award and identified as a proactive school of the year for online safety. This award shows recognition for showing a continued, proactive commitment in educating and protecting the school community. We…
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